|
|
 |
| (CBS File Photo) |
Posted: Thursday, 25 June 2009 8:44AM
RTA to vote on big CTA budget cut
|
CHICAGO (CBS/STNG) ― Chicagoans' commutes to work hang in the balance Thursday morning, as big transit cuts that could force the elimination of entire CTA bus routes come up for a vote.
The Chicago Transit Authority is looking to fill a $35 million hole in its budget, brought on by a precipitous drop in tax revenue.
The shortfall is on top of an already announced $155 million reduction in the CTA budget.
The Regional Transportation Authority votes on whether to cut the CTA's budget on Thursday.
"We can't spend money we don't have," said RTA Board Chairman Jim Reilly.
The Transit Board says everything is on the table, including eliminating routes, scaling back service, and even fare hikes.
CTA President Richard Rodriguez said one possibility is that instead of having five-to-seven minute headways between buses on some routes, it could be 10 to 15 minutes.
Rodriguez said he is first trying to see what can be cut internally "without sacrificing quality."
"We have to look at who's going to be impacted, who's more transit dependent . . . and where we can afford to reduce service and not necessarily eliminate service," Rodriguez said.
Metra will suffer a $19 million hit, while Pace would lose $7 million.
Rodrigquez made his comments after speaking at a City Club of Chicago lunch Wednesday. Also speaking after the luncheon, RTA executive director Stephen Schlickman said that any service cuts would have to go through a public comment period first, and so would not likely take effect until later in the summer or early in the fall.
A Metra spokeswoman said the shortfall would not cause service cuts or fare increases.
Given the budget problems, questions have arisen as to whether the state law mandating free rides for seniors on the CTA should continue. The disabled and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces also receive free rides.
Since-deposed Gov. Rod Blagojevich demanded a provision for free rides for seniors in 2008 as a condition of a state funding bill for the CTA.
RTA Board Chairman Jim Reilly says even if this isn't the best time to offer free rides, his hands are tied.
"That's a state law; we don't have any choice," he said. "If I had my druthers I would probably not have that program."
CBS 2's Ed Curran solicited comments from viewers about whether free rides for seniors should continue. Reaction was mixed.
"If I'm choosing between seniors paying or riding in safe cars, the seniors are just simply going to have to pay," wrote Twitter user Eric Smith.
But Twitter user Salembabie Moonbeam wrote: "Seniors and the disabled have already given so much to this city that I think it is deserved, let them ride for free."
Through Facebook, Gabrielle Glass suggested an alternative to free rides for certain demographic groups: "It seems fair to me that seniors at lower fixed income levels should ride for free and all other senior should pay a discounted rate but how realistic is that? I think that a discounted rate is probably more appropriate given the budget issues facing the CTA."
Before free rides became law there was talk about a tiered fare system. Gov. Pat Quinn says he wants to see how the program works before making any changes. That means all seniors will continue to ride for free despite real fiscal pressures.
|
Copyright MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
|
|
|
|
E-Mail Story
Print Story
